Unit 9
Language Paragraphs
A paragraph is a group of sentences on one topic. We use paragraphs to organise material when we write. • The main idea of the paragraph is what the paragraph is about. The topic sentence often states the main idea. • The topic sentence is followed by sentences which contain additional details about the topic. • Each paragraph introduces a new idea .
Topic sentence
School uniforms are expensive. Why do we need to have two different sets of clothes? We already have the clothes that we wear at home. Why not wear these to school? Our parents should not have to spend their money on extra clothes for us.
Details
1 Look at Luke’s speech on page 78. Find two more topic sentences.
Look at the paragraphs below. • What are the topic sentences? • What additional details have the writers provided?
2
WB 5 p165
Tina spends too much time on the computer. Her mother is worried about her so she has made some rules. Tina is allowed to use the computer for one hour each day. She has to do her homework before going on the computer.
Many children spend too much time playing video games. As soon as they come home from school, they sit down in front of the screen. They do not go out to play with their friends any more. They need to get more exercise.
• Emphasise to students that paragraphs are used to organise our ideas. Each paragraph should have ONE main idea. All the details included in a paragraph should be about the main idea. • Remind students to indent paragraphs when they write them. Point out that typed paragraphs are not normally indented. When paragraphs are not indented, there must be a line space between them.
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